GatesAir, a global leader in wireless, over-the-air content delivery solutions for radio and TV broadcasters, is bringing new innovations to its HD Radio® product portfolio powered through its fourth-generation Flexiva™ Importer/Exporter. In addition to virtually eliminating maintenance through a fully embedded architecture that combines both functions, the new FMXi 4g becomes the industry’s first HD Radio Importer/Exporter solution to provide dynamic time and audio correction. GatesAir will introduce the FMXi 4g and other new HD Radio enhancements for audio and data transport at the 2018 NAB Show (April 9-12, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth N3703).

Diversity Delay is a critical component of the HD Radio listening experience. The GatesAir-exclusive algorithm inside the FMXi 4g ensures proper time alignment between analog (FM) and digital (HD Radio) signals, and improves the listener experience by removing the objectionable blending artifacts. As the digital signal transitions to analog and back, the lack of proper time alignment prevents program linearity for the listener due to an eight-second delay between the analog and digital broadcast.

HD Radio Diversity Delay was first only achievable through manual adjustments, and later through interoperability between modulation monitors and either exporters or audio processors. GatesAir’s innovation eliminates all manual and external device needs to enable time alignment by integrating specialized Diversity Delay software inside the FMXi 4g.

“The software intelligence built into the FMXi 4g aligns the time, levels and phase of the audio to remove undesirable artifacts and deliver a clean and engaging audience experience,” said Rich Redmond, chief product officer, GatesAir. “We believe that this will prove valuable not only to broadcasters that deliver from a single transmitter, but also for single-frequency networks that have multiple, overlapping transmitters delivering precision-timed HD Radio content across larger markets and terrain-challenged regions.”

FMXi 4g customers will further benefit from the convergence of Importer and Exporter functions into a single software-embedded system. The removal of a standalone, computer-based Importer or Exporter eliminates the boot-up process, removes moving parts and frees broadcasters from troublesome PC-based applications. HD Radio implementation is greatly simplified by integrating the Importer and Exporter and eliminating complex external networks, clocking and GPS references between disparate systems which, substantially raises the possibility of packet loss and other imperfections.

To further combat data loss, GatesAir will demonstrate how its new Intraplex® IPConnect device for reliable and secure data transport can more effectively manage large data payloads across the E2X connection.

“The seamless integration of IPConnect into the Gen4 architecture smooths the very heavy signal bursts that are common across the E2X path,” said Redmond. “The quality of service significantly improves through a reduction in dropouts and buffering instances that have long challenged HD Radio broadcasters.”

GatesAir, Inc., a portfolio company of The Gores Group, provides complete solutions for over-the-air radio and television broadcasting, leveraging wireless spectrum to maximize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services. Powering over-the-air networks worldwide with unparalleled reliability for nearly 100 years, GatesAir’s turnkey solutions enable broadcasters to create, transport and transmit radio and TV content. With customers in more than 185 countries, the company leads the industry in innovation and design breakthroughs, improving efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership with all products designed and assembled in the USA. Visit www.gatesair.com for more information, Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gatesair, and follow us on Twitter at @GatesAir.

About The Gores Group

The Gores Group, founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, is a global investment firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm's operating experience and flexible capital base. The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a traditional financial buyer. Over its 30-year history, The Gores Group has become a leading investor having demonstrated a reliable track record of creating value in its portfolio companies alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Boulder, CO, and London. For more information, please visit http://www.gores.com.